Israel Iran War News Highlights: Netanyahu says killing Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei would 'end the conflict'

The already volatile Middle East has plunged into a new and dangerous phase of conflict as Israel and Iran openly traded blows over the past two days. Following a blistering Israeli assault on key Iranian nuclear and military installations, including the Natanz enrichment facility and a nuclear research site in Isfahan, Iran retaliated with a barrage of drones and an estimated 100 ballistic missiles targeting Israel. These attacks caused explosions over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, leading to three deaths and over 170 wounded in Israel, while Iran reported 78 fatalities and over 320 injuries from the initial Israeli strikes.

Israeli officials claim their "widespread strikes" hit over 400 targets across Iran, including command centers and air defense systems, and killed several top generals and scientists involved in Iran’s nuclear program. Satellite imagery shows extensive damage to the Natanz facility, with experts suggesting repairs could take "much more than a few weeks." Amidst the tit-for-tat attacks, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz warned "Tehran will burn" if missile attacks continue, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised even stronger action. Conversely, Iran's top diplomat, Abbas Araghchi, condemned Israel's "warmongering" and called on the United Nations to intervene, also deeming ongoing nuclear talks "unjustifiable." Oman confirmed the postponement of a planned round of indirect US-Iran nuclear talks. The US, while denying direct involvement in Israel's strikes, confirmed aiding Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles. The escalating violence, including a reported Israeli drone strike on an Iranian natural gas plant, signals a grave trajectory in a region already on edge due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.